VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Put your compassion, skills, and interests into action and service as a Shanti Volunteer.

Shanti offers individuals meaningful opportunities to volunteer directly with our clients as Peer Support Volunteers and PAWS Pet Assistance Volunteers. We also provide other ways for volunteers to support our organization and our clients.

Peer Support Volunteers

Peer Support Volunteers provide our clients with emotional support (supportive listening, conversation, companionship) and practical assistance (light housekeeping, errands, laundry, cooking, pet care) on a weekly basis for a minimum of six months. Peer Support Volunteers get paired one-on-one with Shanti clients in the following programs:

  • HIV Programs
  • LGBTQ+ Aging & Abilities Support Network
  • Women’s Cancer Program

Before being matched with a client, each volunteer must attend one of our Peer Support trainings, takes place over an entire weekend. If you are interested, please complete an volunteer application. Age requirement: 18+.

PAWS Food Bank Volunteers

You can help out in our Pet Food & Supply Bank! Check out our Pet Food Bank Volunteer Guide to learn more about this exciting opportunity.

Sign-up is easy! Visit: https://www.shanti.org/pawsvolunteers

PAWS Pet Assistance Volunteers

Volunteers assist clients in our PAWS Program by caring for their pets through supportive pet care services. These services include:

  • Dog-walking
  • In-home cat care
  • Foster care
  • Transports to and from the veterinarian
  • Specialized animal care (nail clipping, bathing, subcutaneous fluids)
  • Veterinarian and Vet Tech volunteering

If you are interested in becoming a PAWS Pet Assistance Volunteer, please complete the PAWS volunteer application. Age requirement: 18+.

Additional Volunteer Opportunities

Shanti offers other ways for you to get involved including:

  • Client Wellness Workshops, Classes and Services (Daytime or evening): volunteers plan and implement educational, cultural, or recreational activities (Tai Chi, writing, art, etc.) or offer a service (haircuts, massage, nutrition, resume writing, etc.).
  • Direct Service Field Work/Internships: Quality supervision and meaningful experiences for students in need of practicum or internship experiences across Shanti programs.
  • Administrative Support in our offices
  • Group volunteering, including PAWS holiday stocking preparation

Volunteer opportunities are offered for English or non-English speakers. For more information, contact Volunteer Services by email.

Upcoming Peer Support Volunteer Trainings

The following trainings are currently scheduled to be in-person at Shanti’s Mission location at 3170 23rd Street, San Francisco.

December 2023 Training
+ Friday, December 11st
6pm – 8:30 pm
+ Saturday, December 2nd
10 am – 6 pm
+ Sunday, December 3rd
10:30 am – 6:30 pm

January 2024 Training
+ Friday, January 26th
6pm – 8:30 pm
+ Saturday, January 27th
10 am – 6 pm
+ Sunday, January 28th
10:30 am – 6:30 pm

April 2024 Training
+ Friday, April 5th
6pm – 8:30 pm
+ Saturday, April 6th
10 am – 6 pm
+ Sunday, April 7th
10:30 am – 6:30 pm

June 2024 Training
+ Friday, June 7th
6pm – 8:30 pm
+ Saturday, June 8th
10 am – 6 pm
+ Sunday, June 9th
10:30 am – 6:30 pm

Interested in attending? Complete a volunteer application.